FILM DESCRIPTION: With colorful straw history animation and segments narrated by Oscar winner Tim Robbins, this award-winning short film, Straws, explains the problems caused by plastic pollution and empowers individuals to be part of the solution. It's estimated Americans use once and toss more than 500 million straws every day. Ocean Conservancy ranks plastic straws as the number five most popular found item on beaches. They also wind up in landfills, litter streets and add to the estimated 8.5 metric tons of plastic debris in oceans annually, where animals and fish eat the broken plastic and get hurt or even killed.

The local spin: The Shedd Aquarium has been leading the local effort to help “Shed the straw.” Attendees can expect to learn about this campaign to rethink that straw in your drink.

Enjoy a Q & A session with Straws filmmaker Linda Booker to hear about her experiences researching and making this film. Engage in a discussion with members of Lake County Audubon Society and Openlands to learn how we can protect local forests and prairies and the wildlife that live in them. Plus, chat with local groups about campaigns to reduce straws pollution, as well as other community organizations offering ways to promote sustainability in your community. Facilitator: Geoff Deigan, Executive Director of Prairie Crossing Charter School.

Doors open 30 minutes before start time. Arrive early to avoid lines and get best seats. ADA compliant accessible venue. Refreshments available.

Come share your solutions to reduce, reuse and recycle. Program guests are Design Teacher Tim Walsh of Percy Julian Middle School and Liita Forsyth, ownerof Little Bits Workshop. Ann McElhatton of Beach Chair Scientist and Jeff Shelden of the Sierra Club Water Team will help sort the facts, while Sue Crothers of the River Forest Sustainability Commission will share ways to make change. Facilitator: Wendy Negron, Educator in Chicagoland schools.

Come for a 6 p.m. Resource Fair, where you can learn tips and tricks for healthier, planet-friendly living. After the film, engage in a conversation with Tim Milburn, Park Ridge’s Community Health Commissioner; Debra Kutska, Sustainability Specialist of Oakton Community College; Nan Parson of Straws Literally Upon Request Policy (SLURP); as well as members of the League of Women Voters of Lake Michigan Region. Plus, hear which Park Ridge restaurants participate in SLURP, and make a no-straw pledge. Facilitator: Sue Crothers of the River Forest Sustainability Commission and Young Filmmakers Contest Founding Director.

Doors open 30 minutes before start time. Arrive early to avoid lines and get best seats.

*Triple the power of your ticket dollar! A generous donor is matching ALL ticket sales at the 2018 Film Festival 2:1. So for this screening, your $7 ticket plus the $14 match = $21 to support the One Earth Film Fest!